DOI article:
Bingener, Andreas: Medieval metal trade in and around the Harz Mountains - markets and routes of transport
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.56859#0161
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Celle. No one was to impede their journey, and they were exempted from paying
the so-called Grundruhr, recovery dues levied on shipwrecked vessels17. In early
medieval times, shipping on the Oker went far beyond Brunswick. In the 15th
century, boats made their way to the northern foothills of the Harz to carry
limestone and rock from there down the Oker to Brunswick (Müller 1968, 22-
26; 50). The Aller, too, was navigable above the point where it was joined by the
Oker, and shallow barges reached Hanover on the river Leine18. These examples
may suffice to illustrate that the trade in metal was not confined to overland
routes. It is highly likely that waterways were used for the transport of heavy
goods even in the early Middle Ages.
The time of decline (approximately 1280-1360)
In the late 13th century, the production of copper in the Harz region was beset
by economic difficulties. Between 1282 and 1290 a distressing increase of water
levels in the mines of Rammelsberg was noted. The imperial sheriff (Reichsvogt)
succeeded for a while in collecting the Vogtei revenues, but the income from the
mining tithes declined steadily19. In August 1290 King Rudolf of Habsburg
ordered the council and the burghers of Goslar that those who were obliged to
pay the tax called Schleigschatz of the Slaggenhütten to him or the imperial
sheriff, must also do so in future. He delegated the legal authority to Otto Duke of
Anhalt, Earl of Ascharien, to decide in this matter. It seems that the taxes from
the smelters around Goslar had not been paid regularly for some time20.
Duke Otto succeeded apparently in reaching an agreement in the dispute with
the burghers of Goslar as well as among the burghers themselves. Significant
tensions existed particularly between the merchants and the community of the
montani et silvani. The agreements were laid down in four documents on the 15th
of August 129021. The settlement on the disputes over the copper trade, which
was now granted solely to the Goslar merchants, is particularly noteworthy.
Toward the end of the 13th century, the trade in copper products may have
17 Hänselmann 1975 1-2, esp. §§ 2 and 11. Querfurth 1971. Hänselmann, 1887, 1-
51, cf. ref. 339-345, ibid. esp. 6-10 and 14-15.
18 Ellmers 1985, 249. For a general reference cf. Peters 1973.
19 Stadt A Goslar Bestand B 6236: Hardt 1725, 108.
20 Bode 1893-1922, Vol. 2, 400 Nr. 401.
21 Bode 1893-1922, Vol. 2, 400-405 Nr. 403-406. The Montanen and Silvanen is an
association of shareholders of mines and smelters in the Harz.
Celle. No one was to impede their journey, and they were exempted from paying
the so-called Grundruhr, recovery dues levied on shipwrecked vessels17. In early
medieval times, shipping on the Oker went far beyond Brunswick. In the 15th
century, boats made their way to the northern foothills of the Harz to carry
limestone and rock from there down the Oker to Brunswick (Müller 1968, 22-
26; 50). The Aller, too, was navigable above the point where it was joined by the
Oker, and shallow barges reached Hanover on the river Leine18. These examples
may suffice to illustrate that the trade in metal was not confined to overland
routes. It is highly likely that waterways were used for the transport of heavy
goods even in the early Middle Ages.
The time of decline (approximately 1280-1360)
In the late 13th century, the production of copper in the Harz region was beset
by economic difficulties. Between 1282 and 1290 a distressing increase of water
levels in the mines of Rammelsberg was noted. The imperial sheriff (Reichsvogt)
succeeded for a while in collecting the Vogtei revenues, but the income from the
mining tithes declined steadily19. In August 1290 King Rudolf of Habsburg
ordered the council and the burghers of Goslar that those who were obliged to
pay the tax called Schleigschatz of the Slaggenhütten to him or the imperial
sheriff, must also do so in future. He delegated the legal authority to Otto Duke of
Anhalt, Earl of Ascharien, to decide in this matter. It seems that the taxes from
the smelters around Goslar had not been paid regularly for some time20.
Duke Otto succeeded apparently in reaching an agreement in the dispute with
the burghers of Goslar as well as among the burghers themselves. Significant
tensions existed particularly between the merchants and the community of the
montani et silvani. The agreements were laid down in four documents on the 15th
of August 129021. The settlement on the disputes over the copper trade, which
was now granted solely to the Goslar merchants, is particularly noteworthy.
Toward the end of the 13th century, the trade in copper products may have
17 Hänselmann 1975 1-2, esp. §§ 2 and 11. Querfurth 1971. Hänselmann, 1887, 1-
51, cf. ref. 339-345, ibid. esp. 6-10 and 14-15.
18 Ellmers 1985, 249. For a general reference cf. Peters 1973.
19 Stadt A Goslar Bestand B 6236: Hardt 1725, 108.
20 Bode 1893-1922, Vol. 2, 400 Nr. 401.
21 Bode 1893-1922, Vol. 2, 400-405 Nr. 403-406. The Montanen and Silvanen is an
association of shareholders of mines and smelters in the Harz.